Smriti Mandhana (80, 50b, 10x4, 3x6) instilled title hopes in the faithful supporters with an astonishing knock that helped Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) finish its home leg on a high.
On Monday night, after posting Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024’s highest total of 198 for three, RCB handed UP Warriorz (UPW) a 23-run loss at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
In reply, UPW openers Alyssa Healy and Kiran Navgire scored 46 in the first four overs before the latter miscued a lofted shot and was caught by Georgia Wareham off Sophie Devine. Sophie Molineux then trapped Chamari Athapaththu to give RCB the second wicket in a contentious DRS review.
Soon, Devine sent Grace Harris packing, and Warriorz’ chase appeared derailed. However, Healy’s grit was a last hurdle for RCB.
It was Molineux who got Healy stumped on 55 before Deepti Sharma and Poonam Khemnar added 41 for the sixth wicket.
Warriorz’ decision to chase eventually backfired after it only managed 175 for eight.
Earlier, the league witnessed its first Indian opening duo with S. Meghana pairing up with Mandhana, with out-of-form Devine demoted down the order.
Meghana took full advantage of the opportunity and struck five boundaries during her quickfire 28 off 21. When Anjali Sarvani dismissed her, RCB had already gone past 50 inside the PowerPlay.
Mandhana pulled out the scoops and cuts, fully utilising the boundaries behind square. Her shot selection and impeccable timing stunned Warriorz as she reached her half-century in the 13th over.
On a night when Mandhana looked unstoppable, a couple of dropped catches only made matters worse for UPW. Deepti finally broke her 95-run stand with Ellyse Perry (58, 37b, 4x4, 4x6) after she holed out to Khemnar.
Perry held centre-stage once Mandhana departed. Her blazing knock ensured the decibel levels always remained high.
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